Time metering apparatus



Dec. 2, 1941. J. L. MUNSON 2,264,479

TIME METERING APPARATUS Filed Junp 15, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

Dec. 2, 1941. MUN SON 2,264,479

' TIME METERING APPARATUS Filed June 15, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.faunas lends 1 /127501] ATTORNEY.

. 2, 1941. J. L. MUNSON TIME METERING APPARATUS Filed June 15, 1938 4Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENTOR.

mes i gn zfillunsan 3 EATTORNEY.

Dec. 2, 1941. J. L. MUNlSON 2,264,479

TIME METERING APPARATUS Filed June 15, 19:58 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

A ORNEY.

Patented D... 2, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE James Lewis Manson,Valley Stream, 1:. r. Application June 15, 1933, Serial No. 213,751

"Claims.

The present invention relates to coin controlled electrically operatedtime metering apparatus of thetypewhereintheinsertion ofacoinwillcause amotor or clock mechanism to operate for a selectively set period oftime, and to actuate means to indicate the lapse of the set time period,such as parking meters or'the like.

Electrically operated, coin controlled parking meters having previouslybeen known. However, in such parking meters of the prior art theinserted coinhasusuallybeen utilized asan integral part of the operatingelectric circuit, closing it when inserted into the apparatus andbreaking it when dropped. The utilization of the coin as part of theoperating circuit presented certain disadvantages, such as the imperfector incomplete closure of the electric circuit by worn coins and theready possibility of short circuits within the apparatus because ofmoisture on the coin.

The present invention is directed to the provision of apparatus of thecharacter described wherein the coin is not included within theoperating circuit and contemplates the provision of such apparatus inwhich the operating circuit is completed by a switch which is controlledby the weight of a coin upon combined coin intercepting and switchthrowing means which extend into the coin chute,

The present invention contemplates the provision of such apparatm havingcombined coin intercepting and switch throwing means that is movablymounted, wherebythe operating circuit may be broken by moving thecombined coin intercepting switch throwing means to disengage it fromcontact with the coin to discharge the same, and to simultaneously breakthe operating circuit.

It is also contemplated by the present invention to provide suchapparatus wherein the switch throwing means is automatically withdrawnfrom contact with the coin and wherein such automatic withdrawing meanscomprises an electro-.

ranges the apparatus for a new operation and which may be adjusted tosuccessively operate for any numberof successive periods, up to a setlimit, by a concurrent insertion of a corresponding number of coins andare provided with means whereby the insertion of a coin in excess of theset number will act to discharge a previously inserted coin to therebylimit the maximum number of coins that may simultaneously be present inthe apparatus.

The present invention contemplates still further the provision ofapparatus of the character described which is associated with asignalling mechanism to indicate the commencement, duration andtermination of a metered period and where such signalling means iselectrically controlled and arranged in a circuit parallel to theoperating circuit and thereby simultaneously controlled therewith by thesame switch.

The present invention contemplates the provision of coin controlledelectrical time metering apparatus which are compact, durable, andtrouble and tamper proof and which are eflicient and highly desirablefor their Purposes.

This invention also contemplates the provision, in association with suchtime metering apparatus, of externally arranged means, operableindependently of the time metering mechanism for discharging acontrolling coin before the end of its paid metered period, whereby theapparatus may be cleared of coins at any desired time and operation thusstopped at will. For the purpose of stopping the apparatus at will,particularly when the apparatus is used as a parking meter, the presentinvention contemplates the provision of an auxiliary coindischargin'gcircuit having a switch that may be directly controlled by avehicle itself and which is therefore preferably arranged in thepavement where it will receive the weight of the vehicle and is therebyactuated, so that the movement of a departing and arriving vehicle willserve to clear the apparatus of a coin incompletely utilized by thedeparting vehicle.

The principles and the general details of arrangement and conttructionof the apparatus of the present invention as well as its many ad-,vantages, will become clear from the accompanying drawings illustratingone practical embodiment thereof as incorporated in a parking meter,

and in which I Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of aparking meter of the present invention, with the cover of the metercasing removed to show structural details;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same taken along line 2-2 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

- a signalling device, a coin thrown switch for closing the circuit, atime metering mechanism operable by the timing mechanism, a secondswitch operated by the metering mechanism and electro-magnetic meanscontrolled by the second i switch which actuates the first switch toopen it and to break the circuit at the end of the metered period.

The parking meter illustrated may be arranged in a casing 26, which maybe fixed on a standard 22 of a suitable height to maintain the meter invisible position at a distance and above the tops of vehicles.

The signalling means which may be arranged to signal the commencement,duration or termination ofa prepaid parking period," and may be ofeither a visible or audible nature, such as alight or belL'may also bearranged within or on a the casing. Preferably, the signalling devicemay be arranged to function for the duration of the metered period byconnecting it in parallel with the timing mechanism, and may compriseone or more electriclights 24, arranged within the casing and visiblefrom without through louver openings 26, provided therein.

The timing mechanism may be of any desired electrically operated orelectrically controllable type, such as an electric clock or a motor andgear train or the like, which it is not thought necessary to show indetail, being indicated merely by the numeral 21 and its operativemembers by the pinion 28 arranged on the clock or motor shaft 30.

To close the parallel motor and signal circuits, I provide a switch 32within the circuit, and a tiltably or rockably pivoted switch actuatingmember, such as a lever 34,'which is arranged to type may be provided,it is preferable to have switch 32 of the mercury type, such as thatcommercially known as Mercoid, in which the gap in the circuit is closedby means of a mercury globule arranged in a. sealed tube which globuleis caused to contact a pair of terminals within the tube, by disposingor tilting the tube at the proper level. As these switches are wellknown on the market, it is not thought necessary to give a detailedillustration thereof. Preferab y, the mercury switch is mounted on leverarm 44 by means of the switch clamping member 4| formed integrallytherewith, whereby the switch itself serves to counterbalance arm 38,when unweighted by a coin, to spontaneously dispose itself at a circuitbreaking angle.

In order to move the lever arm 38 out of engagement with the coin topermit switch 32 to dispose itself in circuit breaking position, thelever 34 may be mounted, as by pivot 46, on a movable member such as theslotted link 43,

which is pivoted, by its lower end, as at 45, on the frame and isengaged by its slot 41, vertically arranged in its upper portion, upon apin 49 fixed on the eccentrically weighted and pivoted armature 48 of anelectromagnet 50. It will be clear that a movement of the armature 48,at the proper time, will move the upper end of the slotted linkrearwardly away from the chute, thereby withdrawing arm 38 from thechute and from contact with the coin, to release the coin andspontaneously permit the 'Mercoid switch 32 to tilt to a positionwherein the circuit therethrough is broken. a

To determine the time at the end of which switch 32 will be moved toopen the motor circuit and thereby stop the timing motor andsimultaneously stop the time indicating signalling means, I provide, inassociation with the motor and operably engageable thereby, a timingrack 52 having switch tripping means, such as the tripping pin 54,adjacent one of its ends and in position to throw, after the rack 52 hasbeen gradually moved by the motor for the selected time interval, asecond switch 56 which is arranged in the circuit of the electromagnet56, to energize the electromagnet.

In order to conserve space, the timing rack may preferably be ofcircular outline with the pinion 28 engaging gear 12 which in turnengages teeth 58 arranged on the inner circumference thereof, wherebythe rackoperating and rack supporting means may all be arrangedcentrally of the rack in compact, space saving relation. Such racksupporting means may preferably comprise a substantially radiallyextending arm 66, which may be rentrantly bent and offset to clear allother mechanisms arranged thereadjacent, by means of which the rack ispivotally and freely supported in gravitational position from the pivotpin or shaft 62.

It will be apparent that the throwing of the electromagnet circuitswitch 56 will energize the switch supporting lever 34 out of contactwith the coin, thereby discharging the coin and leaving "Mercoid switch32 free to counterbalance lever 34 and to be thereby spontaneouslydisposed in circuit breaking position. This will stop the v arrangementfor opening it, to have such switch of a spontaneously opening type. Themost suitable type of switch for the purpose, therefore, is also aMercoid switch which may be mounted on one end of a rocker arm 64, bythe integrally formed clamp 66 in a manner to be normally disposed. inopen circuit position. The

rocker arm is tiltably pivoted on pin 68 adjacent the course of thetiming rack 52 and in po- 9,264,479 sition to have its tripping arm llengaged by the eration after it has been advanced by the motor to closeswitch I and thereby stop the motor, there is provided interengagingmeans between the motor pinion 2| and the rack 52 which are permanentlyin engagement with the pinion but are releasable irom engagement withthe rack by the closing of the electromagnet circuit switch I. Suchreleasable interengaging means may comprise a rack engaging retractablegear wheel 12, which is actuated by the pinion 28 and is swingablymounted on the pinion shaft 30, in position to be swung in and out ofengagement with the rack teeth I. while remaining at all times in meshedengagement with the pinion 28. For that purpose, the gear wheel I2 ismounted on a pin 14 rotatably supported intermediate the ends ofparallel links II, the other ends of which are journalled on the pinionshaft Ill, one to each side oi the pinion 28; It will be apparent thatthe links 18 will maintain the gear wheel constantly in alignment andengagement with the pinion 2. to be rotated thereby whenever the timingmotor circuit is closed.

It will also be apparent that whenever the gear wheel is meshed with therack, the operation of the timing motor will actuate the gear wheel 12and move the rack 52 until the pin 54 is raised to trip the rocker arm64 to thereby close the electromagnet circuit and stop the motor. Itfollows that to reset the timing rack 52 to its original position it isonly necessary to provide means for releasing the gear wheel 12 fromengagement with the rack so that the latter will be free to drop backinto its original place. I accomplish this by connecting the gear wheel,12, by means of link 18 secured to the gear supporting pin 14, to theunweighted arm 80 of the eccentrically weighted armature 4!, so that,normally, while at rest or during timing operation, th gear wheel 12will be pulled up against the timing ,rack 52 and into engagement withthe rack teeth GI by the upward tilting of the unweighted end ll of thearmature 48 by the weighted end thereof. It will be clear that theraising of the weighted end the armature will lower the gear wheel I2out 0! engagement with the timing rack and the latter will drop backinto its original place, such movement being accelerated by the pressureor the gear wheel 12 as it is downwardly impelled by the. arm 80.

In association with the timing rack 52, there is provided means wherebythe metered time period may be selectively adjusted. While anyarrangement tor selectively adjusting the distance between the switchtripping pin 54 and the point of first engagement of the rack by thegear-wheel screws It, the stop member 08 which projects outwardly fromthe rack to be engaged by a permanently fixed lug ll arranged on thecasing. Since the rack is circular, the stop I and lug II willinterengage for any position of the stop I! on the rack, to therebylimit, selectively, the

- portion oi. the rack that will have to be moved by the motor before thmotor circuit will be inbe graduated for time the lug Ill faces theimperforate chute edge ierrupted. The rack may divisions, such asminutes, for a more ready determination oi the desired selectivepositional the stop tor the particular time period to be metered.

To start the time metering apparatus of the present invention, there isprovided in the casing a coin slot ll coinciding with the mouth of thecoin chute ll. There is also provided in front of the coin chute mouth acoin counter actuating rod in alignment with the chute mouth, the saidslot being provided with a beveled upper edge ll extending normallybelow the line of the casing coin slot 00 so that no coin may beinserted therethrough without raising the rod 02 to thereby mov the coincounter to register the coin.

Where desired, I provide means whereby the timing device may beselectively arranged to operate for from one to more, such as three,time periods, consecutively, by the concurrent insertion of acorresponding number of coins, as the case may be. Such means maycomprise any arrangement which will cause the movement of theelectromagnet circuit switch ll by the insertion of any coin which willbring the number of coins present at one time within the chute in excessof the highest number oi successive metering periods for which theapparatus is set, and thereby cause the immediate discharge of theforemost or the operating coin within the chute. One

, such means illustrated comprises a lever 88 pivoted on the rocker arm84, as at I, in counterbalancing position to the "Mercoid switch 56. Thelever 98 is so pivoted as to be normally diagonally suspended, parallelto the one edge of the 'coin chute 40 and spaced therefrom. The lever 98is also provided with a diagonal edge I" which normally rests on the lugI04 arranged on the counter rod 92 by which the lever 98 is displaced,upon each insertion of a coin, to have either its free end moved withoutdisturbing the switch 56, or, it the free end is blocked, under certainconditions which will hereinafter be explained, to have its pivoted endmoved to thereby tilt the rocker arm 84 and close the Mercoid switch andthe electromagnet circuit.

The edge of the coin chute adjacent the lever is provided withoneopening I opposite the position'that would be occupied by the edge ofthe second of two coins that may be concurrently present inthe chute,and another similar opening I08, opposite the position that would beoccupied by the third of three coins that may be concurrently present inthe chute. Theopenings are separated by an impertorate portion ii. ofthe chute edge.

Corresponding in position with the openings IN and i" and with theintervening imperiorate wallportion Ill, there are provided on the leverll, three stations comprising openings H2,

ill and ill, respectively, on which 9. lug H8 may be selectivelypositioned bymeans 0! nut and bolt in, to set the apparatus to operatefor either one, two or three successive periods by the insertion oi one,two or three coins respectively.

at one time, as will now be more fully explained.

To adjust the device to operate for but one period at a time, the lugill is positioned portion Ill. the free end of the lever "will beimmobilized by the chute edge,'and will compel the lever 98 to move onlyat the pivoted end thereof, which will move the rocker arm 64 to tiltthe electromagnet circuit Mercoid. switch 56. If any previously insertedcoin is present in the chute, it will be caused to drop out of the chuteby the action of the electromagnet, which lifts the armature 48 andwithdraws arm 88 from the coin chute, as explained above.

as at I28, on the armature 48. The length of the arm I26 and its intumedend I24 is such that when the armature is at rest, the intumed end iswithdrawn from the chute, being supported on the lip of the apertureI22, and when the armature is drawn up by the electromagnet, theinturned end I 24 is drawn into the chute in position to block thedescending coin until the apparatus is reset to commence a new operationand arm 38 drops back into coin intercepting position.

It will be apparent that the energizing of the electromagnet will beonly momentary, and that as soon as the coin passes thev counter rod 82,the rod will drop back, into place, urged either by a spring, or aweight, or by the coin register mechanism (which are not thoughtnecessary to be here shown). The return of the counter rod will tend tosnap the coin into the chute and will result in lowering of its lugI.04, permitting the' lever 88 and rocker arm 64 to return by their ownweight, and independently of the counter rod, to their originalposition, with the "Mercoid switch 56 tilted in circuit breakingposition again, and the electromagnet circuit broken. This will drop thearmature 48, withdrawing the reentrant arm end I24 from the chute todrop the newly inserted coin and reinse'rting the lever arm 38 tointercept such coin to be thereby tilted to close the Mercoid" switch 32and to close the timing motor and signal circuits. g

The timing motor and signal circuits will continue to operate until thetiming rack is moved the distance required to have its pin 54 strikeagainst the rocker arm 64 causing it and switch 66 to tilt to close theelectromagnet circuit, thereby breaking the motor circuit, dischargingthe coin, and returning the time rack to its original position. Theapparatus is then ready to be again put into operation by the insertionof a new coin.

To set the apparatus for operation for two successive metered periods bythe concurrent insertion of two coins, the lug H8 is moved to theendmost station II2 opposite the position that would be occupied by asecond of two coins concurrently deposited. The operation of the devicewill then be as follows:

If a preceding metered period has not yet expired when it is desired tostart the meter for two successive new periods and one incompletelyutilized coin still remains in the chute, then the insertion of thefirst of the two new coins will have no immediate effect. It willnotdslcdge the old coin, because when the counter rod is lifted, the freeend of the lever 98 rather than its pivoted end will move, since, at theparticular station I I2 of the lug m, it is unobstructed and is readilywill come to rest on the old coin. It will occupy a position oppositethe opening I06 and will block the lug II8 from moving into the openingI06 upon insertion of the second of the new coins, and force, by theinsertion of such second coin, the tilting of the Mercoid switch 5.6 tooperate the electromagnet and drop the old coin, the first of the newcoins taking its place and starting the first of the two new periods.

When the first of the two new periods terminates, the first coin will beautomatically discharged, the second coin taking its place after beingfirst momentarily halted by the intumed end I24 of arm I26, and tiltinglever 32 to start, automatically, the second successive period.

To set the meter for three successive period operation by threeconcurrently inserted coins, the lug H8 is moved to the third stationII4, opposite opening I08, which corresponds with the position that willbe occupied by the last or third coin inserted.

Again, as in the two coin adjustment, the last inserted coin, becausethe next to the last coin will block opening I08, will cause clearanceof any incompletely used coins of a prior series. The three coins willthen serve to start three successive metered periods in the same manneras explained above, each coin, as it strikes lever arm 38 starting ametered period, and each coin, as the period ends, causing rocker arm 64to be tiltedto operate switch 56, whereby it will be discharged to haveits place automatically taken by the next succeeding coin.

It will be apparent that when the meter is set for either one, two, orthree periods, the insertion of a superfluous coin will have the effectof discharging the coin first inserted, so that at no time can there bemore coins in the meter than the number of successive periods for whichthe meter is set. It will at the same time be apparent that theinsertion of any less than the maximum number of coins will notinterfere with the operation of the meter, but will operate the meterfor the corresponding lesser number of successive periods.

It is well understood that operators of parked vehicles, frequentlydrive away before the termination of the period for which they prepaid.It is desirable, therefore, in order to prevent a succeeding vehicleoperator from obtaining the benefit of the incompleted previouslyprepaid period, to provide means, in association with parking meters,whereby such meters may have the actuating coins of one perioddischarged before they are reset for a new period by the insertion ofnew coins by a new customer. It is also highly desirable that such coindischarging means be automatic.

One such auxiliary automatic coin discharging means which operates byexternal influence and independently of the spontaneous timing memberactuated coin discharging mechanism heretofore described, isillustratedin Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings. It includes aspontaneously opening switch, such as the Mercoid switch I32, arranged,preferably, within the standard 22, and preferably externally of thecasing 20, as within the base of the standard. The switch I32 isarranged in an auxiliary electromagnet (50) circuit, so that wheneverthe switch I32 is closed the electromagnet is'energized to discharge acoin and stop the apparatus, as heretofore explained. The switch It!ismounted on a lever Ill which is balanced to maintain the switchnormally open. In order to counterbalance the lever I to arrange theswitch I82 in circuit closing position, lever moving means are providedwhich are. preferably, directly actuable by a vehicle, as by its weightapplied by the wheel thereof.

In the embodiment illustrated, the lever is actuated by a Bourdon tubeI" connected to a flexible-liquid containing chamber I which is embeddedin the pavement and has a flexible surface flush with the pavementsuriace and is arranged in close proximity to the curb, so as to benecessarily traversed by the wheel of a parked vehicle, and adjacent themeter standard.

It will at once be apparent that at least one wheel of each departingand arriving vehicle will traverse at least once over the chamber Illcausing switch I32 to close at least twice during each change ofvehicles and so discharge at least two unused or incompletely used-coinsthat may be present within the chute at each change of vehicles.

It will be understood that the vehicle will have to be parked inposition to have the pavement switch intermediate its wheels so thatnone of the vehicle weight will actuate the switch in during the parkingperiod to make the metering mechanism inoperative. It will be obviousthat the above requirement will necessarily bring about exact andaccurate disposition of the vehicle in the parking space with consequenteconomical use of the parking space.

While a specific embodiment of the present in.-

vention has been thus shown and described, it

ment normally arranged in a position of rest, a

member adapted to be moved into operative engagement with said elementand move it from its normal position of rest, said member adapted to beactuated for a selected interval of time. means set in operation by acoin for actuating the said member, magnetic means for moving the saidmember and means on the timing element adapted to energize, aftermovement of the element for the selected time interval, the saidmagnetic means whereby the said member is moved so as to be disengagedfrom the timing element, said timing element adapted to returnto itsnormal position of rest upon disengagement of said member.

2. Coin controlled apparatus for indicating a selected time intervalcomprising a movable timing member, a motor for operating the saidtiming member, .a member normallyoperably connecting the timing elementto the motor, motor actuating means adapted to be operably en e by acoin, meansior simultaneously disengaging the said member from saidmotor and disengaging the motor actuating means'zfrom said coin. andmeans on the timing member adapted to actuate the said disengagingmeans, upon the movement of the timing element for a set distance,whereby the said member is disengaged from the timing element, saidelement being adapted toreturntoitsorisinalpositionuponsuchdisengagement and the said motoractuating means is disengaged from said coin whereby the coin isreleased and discharged from the apparatus and the motor is stopped.

3. In a coin controlled apparatus forindicating a'selected timeinterval, a motor connected in an electric circuit,'a switch in the saidelectric circuit adapted to be thrown by the weight of a coin, means foropening the said switch including an electromagnet arranged in a secondelectric circuit having a second switch and means advanceable by thesaid motor for throwing the said second switch at a set time afterstarting of the said motor.

4. Coin controlled apparatus for indicating a selected time intervalcomprising a motor arranged in an electric circuit, a movably arrangedcoin controlled switch for the said circuit, an electromagnet having apivotally arranged armature arranged in a second electric circuit, saidelectromagnet circuit being normally open, the said armature engagingthe said coin actuated switch and arranged to open the same when theelectromagnet circuit is closed, a movably arranged timing memberadapted toclose the said electromagnet circuit upon being moved apredetermineddistance and means operable by the motor and arranged onthe said armature to operably engage the said timing member when theelectromagnet circuit is open to move the same and to disengage the'timing member when the electromagnet circuit is closed to permit it toreturn to its first position.

5. In association with a vehicle parking time metering apparatus havinga motor, means actuated by a coin for starting the said motor, means fordischarging the actuating coin, and means operable by the said motor foroperating the said coin discharging means upon the lapse of a set timeinterval to thereby stop the motor and weight operated means adapted tobe operated by a parking vehicle arranged externally of the timemetering apparatus in the path of a parking vehicle for operating thesaid coin discharging means independently of the motor including anelement for energizing the coindischarging means and a memberoperatively connected with said element arranged in the path of aparking vehicle and adapted to be engaged and operated thereby toactuate said element, whereby the said coin may be discharged before thelapse of the set time interval by the weight of a parking vehicle.

6. In association with a vehicle parking time metering apparatus havinga motor, means actuated by a coin for starting the said motor, means fordischarging the actuating coin, and means operable by the said motor foroperating the said coin discharging means upon the lapse of a set timeinterval to thereby stop the motor and means for actuating said coindischarging means and operatively connected therewith arranged in thepavement adjacent the said metering apparatus in the path of a parkingvehicle and adapted to be operatively engaged by said parking vehiclewhereby the said coin discharging means may be operated by a parkingvehicle to discharge a coin before the lapse of the set time interval.

7. Coin controlled apparatus adapted to be actuated by concurrentlyinserted coins for successively indicating selected time intervalscomprising a timing member, a motor for actuating the timing memberarranged in an electric circuit, a switch in the said electric circuit,a coin chute adapted to receive a plurality of coins arranged insuperposed position, switch operating means extending into the coinchute and adapted to intercept and engage a coin and to be disposed andmaintained by its weight into switch operating position, means set inoperation by the timing member adapted to engage the said switchoperating means to disengage it from an actuating coin and thereby toopen the said switch, and means, operable simultaneously with the saidengaging means, for intercepting the coin directly above the actuatingcoin while the pivotally arranged adjacent the said shaft, by

the said arm, a pinion on the said shaft, a gear wheel pivotally mountedon the said shaft and arranged to be permanently in engagement with thesaid pinion, means for normally maintaining said gear wheel in meshedengagement with said rack teeth, whereby the said timing rack is movedby the said source of power, means for engaging the power sourceinterrupting means on the said rack at a selected distance'irom its.initial point of engagement by the said gear wheel,

10. The device of claim 9 and'includin g means on said timing rack toactuate said normally open, trippable switch.

11. In a device of the character described, in combination, a timingelement, means for actuating said timing element, means for operativelyconnecting the timing element to said actuating means, said connectingmeans being in permanent engagement with the said actuating means, saidconnecting means adapted to be moved into and out of operativeassociation with the said timing element, a member for initiating theoperationoi. said actuating means, mechanism operatively associated withsaid member and with said connecting means, said mechanism arranged tomove said connecting means into and out 0! operative association withsaid timing element, said member arranged in position to be actuated toinitiate the operation of said actuating means when the said connectingmeans is moved into operative association with said timing element andadapted to be arranged in non-actuable position when the said connectingmeans is moved out of operative association with the timing element, andmeans, actuated by said timing element, for operating said mechanism tomove said connecting means out 01! operative association with saidtiming element, said-mechanism being adapted to move said connectingmeans into operative association with the timing element after saidmechanism operating means has been actuated by the timing element.

12. In a coin controlled parking meter, an armature, a link pivotallyfixed at one end, said,

link having a slot adjacent the other end, a pin on said armaturearranged within said slot, a

whereby the said interrupting means will be engaged by the rack afterthe lapse of a selected time oi power source operation and meansoperable by the said power source interrupting means to disengage thesaid gear wheel from the said rack, whereby the said rack will moveabout its pivot to its initial position.

9. In a device of the character described, a timing mechanism comprisingan electric motor,

lever pivoted to said link at a distance from said fixed pivot and aswitch secured to said lever, said leverbeing adapted to be engaged by acoin to operate said switch, and means for actuating said armaturewhereby said lever is disengaged from said coin.

a timing rack and means for operatively connecting the motor and thetiming rack, said connecting means being arranged in permanent operativeconnection with the electric motor and said connecting means beingadapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the said timingrack, a tractive' electromagnet including a movable armatur operativelyconnected to saidconnecting means, said armature being in normalposition when the connecting means is in engagement with the timingrack, a switch operatively connected to the said armature and arrangedin the circuit of the said motor, said .switch arranged in position tobe actuatedto close the motor circuit when the said connecting means isin engagement with the timing rack and arranged in non-actuable and openposition when the said connecting means is moved out of engagement withthe timing rack, and a normally open, trippable switch arranged in thecircuit of said electromagnet, said switch, when tripped, adapted toclose said electromagnet circuit to thereby move said armature fromnormal position whereby the said connecting means is moved out ofengagement with the timing rack, said armature adapted to return tonormal position whereby the said connecting means is moved intoengagement with the timing rack after the tripping of said normally openswitch.

- 13. In a coin controlled parking meter, an armature, a link pivotallyfixed at one end, said link, at its other end, slidably connected tosaid armature, a lever pivoted to said link at a distance from saidfixed pivot and a switch secured to said lever, said lever being adaptedto be engaged by a coin to operate said switch, and means for actuatingsaid armature whereby said lever is disengaged from said coin.

14. In a device of the character described, a timing mechanismcomprising an electric motor. a shaft arranged on said motor, a pinionon said motor shaft. a curvilinear rack, a gear Journaled on a pin, inpermanent engagement with said pinion, a link joumaled at one end tosaid motor shaft and at the other end to the gear pin, and

' a tractlve electromagnet including a pivoted armature and a connectingelement iournaled at one end to said armature and at its other end tosaid gear pin.

15. In apparatus for indicating a selected tlm interval, a drivingmember, a timing element arranged in fixed relation to said drivingmember and arranged to be moved from a normal position of rest to asecond position, a second member in permanent engagement with thedriving member operatively connecting the driving member to said timingelement to move said timing member, a link journaled at one of its endsto the driving member and at the other end to the said second member,and means for moving the said second member about the driving memberinto and out of engagement with the timing element, said timing memberadapted to retum to normal position when the second mentioned member ismoved out of engagement with the timing member.

' 16. In apparatus for indicating a selected time interval, a drivingmember, a timing element arranged in fixed relation to said drivingmember, a second member in permanent engagement with the driving memberoperatively connecting the driving member to said timing element, a linkjournaled at one of its ends to the driving member and at the other endto the said second member, a magnet, an armature pivoted between itsends and a second link journaled at one of its ends to the said secondmember and at its other end to said armature.

17. In a device of the character described, in

combination, a timing element, means for actuating said timing element,means for operatively connecting the timing element to said actuatingmeans, said connecting means being in pennanent engagement with the saidactuating means, said connecting means adapted to be moved into and outof operative association with the said timing element, a member forinitiating the operation of said actuating means, mechanism operativelyassociated with said member and with said connecting means, saidmechanism arranged to move said connecting means into and out ofoperative association with said element, said member arranged inposition to be actuated to initiate the operation of said actuatingmeans when the said connecting means is moved into operative associationwith said timing element and adapted to be arranged in non-actuableposition whenthe said connecting means is moved out of operativeassociation with the timing element, and-means for operating saidmechanism to move said connecting means out of operative associationwith the said timing element, said means for operating said mechanismbeing actuated by a member adiustably'associated with the said timingelement, said mechanism being adapted to move said connecting means intooperative association with the timing element after said mechanismoperating means has been actuated by the timing element.

18. In a coin-controlled apparatus having a slot for the insertion of acoin, a motor connected in an electric circuit, a switch in the saidelectric circuit adapted to be thrown by the weight of a coin insertedin the apparatus, means for opening the said switch including anelectromagnet arranged in a second electric circuit having a secondswitch and means actuated by the insertion in the apparatus of a secondcoin for throwing the second switch.

JAMES LEWIS MUNSON.

